The Kingwood Christian School softball team received a confidence boost as the Lions prepared for the AISA Class 3A state tournament in early May with a tuneup April 15 against Morgan Academy.

With Kingwood’s top two pitchers getting a break from the circle, the Lions’ Madeline Lee stepped to the center of the diamond and fired a five-inning no-hitter to lead Kingwood to a 12-0 win over Morgan Academy.

“(Lee) hit her spots and got some ground balls,” said Kingwood coach Jeff Gillespie. “If our defense plays well behind her, we win.”

Lee struck out seven batters and allowed only one baserunner in the first inning following her only walk in the game.

Whitney Gillespie led the Lions (20-3), who have secured their first Alabama Independent Schools Association fast-pitch region title in school history, at the plate as she finished 4-for-4 and drove in a run.

Lee added a grand slam and drove in four runs for Kingwood, which won the AISA Class 3A, Region 2 championship.

Kaylee Morris finished 2-for-3 and drove in two runs. Blair Holsombeck, Katie McElroy and Brooklyn Roper each had a hit and drove in a run.

Gillespie said the Lions earned a No. 1 seed at the upcoming state tournament. After finishing third overall in the AISA Class 3A tournament a year ago, Gillespie said his players enter the tournament with a ton of confidence.

“Everybody is doing their part,” Gillespie said.